Of Airy Atoms

Long atoms, which the streaming air do make,1
Are hollow, from which form air softness takes.2
This makes that air and water ne’er agree,
Because in hollowness alike they be.
For airy atoms made are like a pipe,3                        5
And wat’ry atoms, round and cymbal-like.4
Although the one is long, and th’other5 round,
Yet in the midst a hollowness is found.
This makes us think that water turns to6 air,
And air runs often7 into water fair.                           10
And like two twins they are mistaken8 oft,
Because their hollowness makes both them soft.

  1. Long atoms, which the streaming air do make,] The Atomes long, which streaming Aire makes, 1653
  2. from which form air softness takes.] Air from them doth softness take; 1664; Air from them doth Softness take. 1668
  3. For airy atoms made are like a pipe,] We Aiery Atomes to a Pipe compare, 1664; We, Airy Atoms, to a Pipe compare; 1668
  4. and cymbal-like.] like Cymbals are; 1664; like Cymbals, are: 1668
  5. the other] th’other 1664, 1668
  6. that water turns to] water turnes into 1653
  7. runs often] often runs 1653
  8. they are mistaken] mistaken they are 1653